tommy

Hey everybody, just checking in. Judy’s service was beautiful. My family and I would like to thank everyone on here for all your help and advice. We miss her dearly but are so thankful her suffering is over. Thank you for the e mail Marions. Went to work today for the first time for a full day and man does it feel good. Every time I go out of the house I feel a teeny bit better. I know when I’m looking at some of the people out there that one of them has lost someone special to them and it makes my hurt go a little further away. We had over 200 people at Judys service, she cut a pretty wide swath. One of my favorite parts was when we had a group of Mennonite children sing the songs Judy picked out. They would come by the house and sing to her and she loved it. When they found out Judy had passed they insisted on coming to her memorial and singing because she was their lady, we’re not even Mennonite. Life goes on in a beautiful way. I’m no where near done hurting or crying but I know Judy would make me toughen up for our girls and grandkids, so that’s what I’m gonna do. I love you all and hope and pray for the best. Tommy,,,,,, Hi Lainy.

Our experience with hospice has been so-so. I certainly appreciate the degree of comfort my wife Judy is experienceing. Rarely does she have any pain. I’m not so thrilled about the effort they make to keep a schedule. If it weren’t for Lainy I wouldn’t have known any better. My sister has been in the hospice business for 25 years and when she came out to help us get started it was a God send. Our nurse is as baffled with Judy’s experiences as any body. One day you would swear that she is taking her last breath, the next she is out of bed chatting with whoever happens to be here. We all see the decline in strength and overall health but Judy will not quit. A dear friend came over and had a “final talk” with her, then we prayed. I have never seen Judy at such peace with everything. I mean everything. After our friend left I felt something so powerful and good in our house that lasted all day, all night and all the next day. I had never felt this kind of presence in my life. Me, not being a religious man, I have to tell you, I truly believe in the God our friend prayed to. I find it so hard to believe that for so many years I would not let this kind of power in my life. I have to wonder if Judy saw an immediate change in my attitude that she was just so relieved. Sorry about that, got a little off track. Anyway our nurse told us we could decline their help anytime and come back whenever we wanted. I don’t think we could take as good of care of Judy without their help. Our three daughters and myself agree that Judy made the right decision to bring in hospice when we did. We all got to know Judy’s nurse a little better before we really needed her. And I mean that in a good way. My daughters and I are fortunate that we have jobs that are allowing us to take off work pretty much when we want or need to. Between the four of us Judy does not spend 1 second alone. We have read the caregivers hand books that hospice gave us and we have all seen the hours to minutes before death signs for the last two weeks. I have never loved my wife more than I do now. We hope she passes into the arms of Jesus peacefully. I have never been able to say something like that before. Thanks to all on this website who has helped me along the way. It’s not over. Tommy

Well Rick, I wish I could say something to make things better for you. Good luck, hang in there, one day at a time, believe me I wish I could. All I know is I have found great support right here on this site that nobody else can give. Whenever I look at other peoples posts it makes me feel better knowing I am not alone in this. I don’t feel better because someone else is having the same pain and downright crappy things going on as my wife does. I just feel better. Hopefully your day does get better. I am very fortunate in having three daughters with me to care for Judy. Sometimes I feel so alone but I’m not. Wish I could be there with your wife to give her some comfort. Tell her to look here and she will find it. Tommy

Thank you all for the advice and well wishes. We do have a living will and Durable Power of Attorney naming me as the decision maker. I get so involved trying to take care of Judy that I forget what all we have done. Thanks for reminding me. I will talk with Judy’s nurse and Judy about the importance of staying on top of these meds. Right now she is coming out once a week to check on things and that seems to be working pretty well. The Nurse said she will come more often as the need arises, I just hope I recognize the need before it becomes unbearable for Judy. With the help of our three girls I feel pretty confident we will take good care of Judy. Thank you again for everything. Tommy

Dear Lainy and everyone else, Judy’s cancer marker is continuing to rise. I think the next time we see her Dr. he may suggest hospice. He has mentioned it before but Judy continues the fight. He has changed her chemotherapy around several times, eliminating the cisplatin and using only gemzar. The gemzar routine seemed to be holding things in check until the last two treatments. Dr. said we would look at different options if her cancer marker continued to rise. I am thinking the only option left is hospice. I am worried about the kind of care she will receive after hearing Lainy’s story. I have heard bad things before but with dear Lainy it hit closer to home. I have a pretty short temper when it comes to my family. Reading Lainy’s posts and others I have learned a great deal about patience and caring. I don’t think anybody cares more for their spouse or loved ones than I do. I just don’t like to think of anyone mistreating my wife. Like I always tell my girls,” do you want me to kick their #*% “. Lainy, Thank You for sharing, I have a hard time with this. Tommy

I’m not sure where to post my question so I hope I’m not butting in. My wife had a CT scan monday, talked to the Dr. before chemotherapy today and the scan showed ascites. Dr. didn’t seem to be to concerned about it and went ahead with chemo. Our oldest daughter did a little research and her information makes me feel we should be concerned. Any help or advice would be much appreciated. Tommy

Dear Lainy, it’s a good thing swearing is not a polite way to express ones feelings. I feel for you as a dear friend. Get them people straightened up. Thinking of YOU and Teddy. Tommy

Hi Dave, Judy, my wife was diagnosed April 15 2009. The doctors told her about radiation and chemotherapy but didn’t think it would do her much good and gave her 2 to 6 months. She did the radiation,30 treatments, 26 rounds of chemotherapy and she is still going. Judy is only 54 and still wants to live to be a 100. Strong willed people can be amazing. Chin up my friend. I think LOVE and PRAYERS and FAITH and DOCTORS are the way to go. I don’t use this website as often as I should, but when I do, I always learn something and can tell all these wonderful people really do care. Tommy